It's no longer strange to see a TV series premiereonline before it reaches traditional broadcasters, but Starz is planning a truly special internet debut for its latest project, Black Sails. The first episode of the Michael Bay-produced pirate drama will be available for free through a wide range of online portals on January 18th, a week before it reaches conventional TV. Starz will both host the free show itself as well as offer it through Amazon, iTunes, Machinima's YouTube channel (a first for Starz) and Xbox Video. Charter, Comcast, Cox, Dish and Time Warner Cable will let you watch through their platforms, too. There's no guarantee that the digital screening will help Black Sails build an audience, but Starz has a second season in the pipeline -- the show is already off to a promising start.